poli sci federalism quiz chapter 1,7,2

basics of politics

It is conflictual, process matters, it is everywhere

Separation of powers

refers to the practice of granting different powers to different branches of government

Checks and balances

established to give each branch authority to check (limit or overrule) the other branches

Federalism

The division of power across the local, state, and national levels of government

factions

Groups of like-minded people who try to influence the government. American government is set up to avoid domination by any one of these groups

public goods

Services or actions (such as protecting the environment) that, once provided to one person, become available to everyone.

collective action problems

a situation where people would be better off if they cooperated, but individual self-interest leads them not to cooperate, making everyone worse off

free rider problem

the incentive to benefit from others' work without making a contribution

free market

An economic system based on competition among businesses without government interference

redistributive tax policies

policies that use taxation to attempt to create social equality (favored by democrats)

culture wars

Political conflict in the United States between "red-state" Americans, who tend to have strong religious beliefs, and "blue-state" Americans, who tend to be more secular.

conservative

side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for lower taxes, a free market, and a more limited government; generally associated with Republicans

liberal

The side of the ideological spectrum defined by support for stronger government programs and more market regulation; generally associated with Democrats.

libertarians

political philosophy that prioritizes individual liberty, personal autonomy, and minimal government intervention in both personal and economic life

liberty

Political freedom (freedom of speech, press, assembly, and religio) —> outlined in the Bill of Rights of the U.S. Constitution

equality

the state of giving everyone the exact same rights, resources, and opportunities, regardless of their individual needs or starting points

mass media

Sources that provide information to the average citizen, such as newspapers, television networks, radio stations, podcasts, and websites

linking institution

An actor or a group of actors in American politics that informs citizens about government actions or helps them exercise control over policy.

yellow journalism

A style of newspaper reporting popular in the late 1800s that featured sensationalized stories, bold headlines, and illustrations to increase readership

broadcast media

communications technologies, such as television and radio, that transmit information over airwaves.

Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

a government agency created in 1934 to regulate American radio stations and later expanded to regulate television, wireless communications technologies, and other broadcast media.

equal time provision

An FCC regulation requiring broadcast media to provide equal air time on any non-news programming to all candidates running for an office.

media conglomerates

Companies that control a large number of media sources across several types of media outlets.

by-product theory

The idea that many Americans acquire political information unintentionally rather than by seeking it out.

on background or off the record

Describes comments a politician makes to the press on the condition that they can be reported only if they are not attributed to that politician.

leaking

The practice in which someone in government provides nonpublic information to a reporter, with the aim of generating press coverage favorable to the leaker's aims

media effects

The influence of media coverage on average citizens' opinions and actions

hostile media effect

The tendency of people to see neutral media coverage of an event as biased against their point of view

filtering

The influence on public opinion that results from journalists' and editors' decisions about which of many potential news stories to report

framing

The influence on public opinion caused by the way a story is presented or covered, including the details, explanations, and context offered in the report

attack journalism

A type of increasingly popular media coverage focused on political scandals and controversies, which causes a negative public opinion of political figures.

horse race

A description of the type of election coverage that focuses more on poll results and speculation about a likely winner than on substantive differences between the candidates.

soft news

Media coverage that aims to entertain or shock, often through sensationalized reporting or by focusing on a candidate or politician's personality.

hard news

Media coverage focused on facts and important issues surrounding a campaign

Articles of Confederation

Sent to the states for ratification in 1777,( first attempt at a new American government) —> later decided it restricted national government too much

limited government

A political system in which the powers of the government are restricted to prevent tyranny by protecting property and individual rights

Shays's Rebellion

An uprising of about 1,500 men in Massachusetts in 1786 and 1787 to protest oppressive laws and gain payment of war debts. The unrest prompted calls for a new constitution.

republicanism

As understood by James Madison and the framers, the belief that a form of government in which the interests of the people are represented through elected leaders is the best form of government. Our form of government is known as a republican democracy.

popular sovereignty

The idea that government gains its legitimacy through regular elections in which the people living under that government participate to elect their leaders.

natural rights

defined in the Declaration of Independence as "Life, Liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness." —> the Founders believed that upholding these rights should be the government's central purpose.

Federalists

Those at the Constitutional Convention who favored a strong national government and a system of separated powers.

Antifederalists

Those at the Constitutional Convention who favored strong state governments and feared that a strong national government would be a threat to individual rights.

pluralism

The idea that having a variety of parties and interests within a government will strengthen the system, ensuring that no group possesses total control.

Virginia Plan

A plan proposed by the larger states during the Constitutional Convention that based representation in the national legislature on population. The plan also included a variety of other proposals to strengthen the national government.

New Jersey Plan

A plan that was suggested in response to the Virginia Plan; smaller states at the Constitutional Convention proposed that each state should receive equal representation in the national legislature, regardless of size.

Great Compromise

A compromise between the large and small states, proposed by Connecticut, in which Congress would have two houses: a Senate with two legislators per state and a House of Representatives in which each state's representation would be based on population

parliamentary system

A system of government in which legislative and executive power are closely joined. The legislature (parliament) selects the chief executive (prime minister), who forms the cabinet from members of the parliament.

reserved powers

As defined in the Tenth Amendment, powers that are not given to the national government by the Constitution, or not prohibited to the states, are reserved to the states or the people.

national supremacy clause

a rule in the U.S. Constitution that says federal law wins if it conflicts with state law

Three-Fifths Compromise

The states' decision during the Constitutional Convention to count each enslaved person as three-fifths of a person in a state's population for the purposes of determining the number of House members and the distribution of taxes

Bill of Rights

The first 10 amendments to the Constitution; they protect individual rights and liberties.

enumerated powers

Powers explicitly granted to Congress, the president, or the Supreme Court in the first three articles of the Constitution

power of the purse

The constitutional power of Congress to raise and spend money. Congress can use this as a negative or checking power over the other branches by freezing or cutting their funding

necessary and proper clause (elastic clause)

a section in the U.S. Constitution that gives Congress the power to pass any law needed to carry out its official duties

judicial review

The Supreme Court's power to strike down a law or an executive branch action that it finds unconstitutional

executive powers clause

states: "The executive Power shall be vested in a President of the United States of America." This broad statement has been used to justify many assertions of presidential power.

commerce clause

gives Congress the power to regulate trade with foreign nations, between different states, and with Indian tribes

implied powers

Powers supported by the Constitution that are not expressly stated in it.